Sunday, August 25, 2013

What is the Gohonzon?

This is from the SGI-USA.org Website. I am posting this in answer to a question I got today about the Gohonzon. More clarification is in the next post as well:The Gohonzon is the object of devotion, in the form of a scroll, that practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism enshrine in their homes and is the focal point of their daily practice of morning and evening sutra recitation and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. (Go means "honorable" andhonzon, "object of devotion.")

"This Gohonzon is the essence of the Lotus Sutra and the eye of all the scriptures," Nichiren Daishonin states. "It is like the sun and the moon in the heavens, a great ruler on earth, the heart in a human being, the wish-granting jewel among treasures, and the pillar of a house" ("On Upholding Faith in the Gohonzon," The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 624).

In the center column of the Gohonzon are the characters "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" and under that, "Nichiren," surrounded by various other Chinese and Sanskrit characters that depict historical and mythological Buddhist figures. Together they represent profound philosophical principles and conditions of life.

Like a musical piece or a painting that reflects the life-state of the person who created it, the Gohonzon reflects Nichiren's life-state: Buddhahood. It is not merely a symbol, or something to focus on while chanting. Since it embodies the state of enlightenment, Nichiren's life, it is the actual reality of the Buddha's life. It is the link between the Buddha state within ourselves and in the environment. It is an instrument to see our true potential and use it. Therefore, by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon, we call forth our own Buddhahood, tapping our inherent wisdom, compassion and life force. Gradually, day after day, our own life-state is influenced and strengthened through our daily practice to the Gohonzon.

SGI President Ikeda states, "Just as a mirror is indispensable for putting your face and hair in order, you need a mirror that reveals the depths of your life if you are to lead a happier and more beautiful existence" (My Dear Friends in America, p. 94).

Nichiren cautions: "Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" ("The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon," WND-1, 832). In other words, our faith and practice make the Gohonzon an external stimulus to awaken our internal life of Buddhahood.

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Welcome!

This blog is about Happiness.

Absolute Happiness.

Unshakable Happiness.

Welcome!

In my 33 years of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo (I fuse my life with the Mystic Law of cause and effect through sound vibration) I have faced and overcome many challenges. Heartbreak, job challenges, divorce, and in 2015 my 22 year old son took his life after battling schizophrenia for three years. And through it all, I chanted to turn poison into medicine and to be happy - so that I could show others the way to happiness.

These blog posts come from my heart, to show the power of this practice. I speak only for myself, and don't represent anyone but me. I write this for you.

Feel free to email me if you'd like ~ but I do not give Buddhist guidance by email. I suggest that you get to know your local SGI Buddhist leaders who will give you support.

I love to hear your success stories and may publish them along with your picture.

This lifetime is so precious - and the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is unique. The first person to chant these words was Nichiren Daishonin, a Buddhist reformer. You can find out more about him, and more about this practice at SGI-USA.org.

The important point is this:

We don't have to suffer painful austerities or be reborn for many lifetimes to bring forth our own Buddhahood and attain absolute unshakable happiness.We can attain it right here...right now...just as we are.

There's no accident that you are reading this blog at this time.

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